Blanche Ann “Chub” Sherman

Blanche Ann “Chub” Sherman, 89, of Emlenton passed away on Nov. 25, 2019, with all of her family at her side.

She was born April 22, 1930, in Mercer Township, Butler County, and was the daughter of Wilbur Clarence and Aleena Burk Riddle.

Blanche had a career of over 50 years as a waitress in Emlenton and surrounding areas. She became a familiar face to the residents young and old, who frequented the community's restaurants. She enjoyed the friendly bantering with her regular customers.

One of her joys after retiring, was to run into a person who had a memory to share. She rarely went anywhere that someone didn't recognize her, and would stop to talk. She found it gratifying to know that people she encountered over the years did remember her and would take the time to stop and see how she was doing.

She worked at the Quaker State Plaza for many years in Emlenton, and it was there she started giving her regular customers the nickname of “Grump,” and in return, that is what they called her. Only longtime customers from the Plaza knew her by that name, so when she would unexpectedly run into someone, and they called her “Grump,” she knew exactly which one of the many restaurants she had worked at when they met.

She loved animals and had many dogs over the years, all strays that had been dropped off along the road. They would find their way to the house, where they would find a home, be loved and deeply mourned upon their passing.

Finally, after years on her feet, she settled into a quiet life, enjoying her family, friends and dogs, something she and her family had missed during all those years that she worked. However, she fondly remembered her customers and remained a people person all the rest of her life. She left her family being loved and knowing that she loved them. She will be profoundly missed.

She is survived by her daughters, Judy (Bill) Montgomery of Eau Claire, Jane E. Renwick of Emlenton, Jean I. Riddle and her husband, Ihor Havryluk, of Freeport, and Linda (Dennis) Hughes of Clintonville, and her son, Terry (Lynn) Sherman of Emlenton.

She is also survived by her sister, Gladys Jacobs of Emlenton; five grandchildren, John (Harriet) Renwick of Nectarine, Scott Hughes of Evans City, Kimberly (John) Howland of Eau Claire, Corey (Lindsey) Sherman of Emlenton, and Codey Sherman and his fiancé, Kayleigh Denlinger, of Emlenton; two stepgrandsons, Jeremiah and Jacob Heller of Emlenton; eight great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, John Albert Sherman; her longtime companion, Joseph Scott; a brother, Clarence Riddle; a sister, Betty and her husband, Edward Wade, of Eau Claire; and a brother-in-law, Oral Jacobs of Emlenton.

SHERMAN — Per her request, a private service for Blanche Ann “Chub” Sherman, who died Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, was held on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the McKinley Funeral Home, Clintonville.Donations in her name may be made to the Venango County Humane Society, 286 Main St., Seneca, PA 16346.Please visit www.mckinleyfuneralhome.net.